Grace ONeill

SCIE 376 - Planets

Unit: Earth and Space Date: 11/18/15

Topic: Planets Class: 4

A Statement of Purpose/Driving Question:

What planets are in our solar system?
What characteristics does each planet have?

Written Objectives:
The students will be able to identify planets by their characteristics by creating a chart from
fact cards as a class.

Materials for Teacher:

Planet pictures
Powerpoint

Materials for Student:

Pencils
Fact cards
Note cards
Fill in the blank packet

Safety Considerations: None

Formative Assessment: The students will create a postcard demonstrate what they know
about a planet.

Science Content Process Skills

Planets Evaluate
Overview of solar system Explain

Maryland State Curriculum :

Grade 4
Science: Earth and Space - Astronomy:
1. Identify and describe the variety of objects in the universe through first-hand
observations using the unaided eye, binoculars or telescopes or videos and/or
pictures from reliable sources.
a. Recognize that the pattern of stars in the sky stays the same although their
locations in the sky appear to change with the seasons.
Crosscutting Concepts-
Patterns
1. Observed patterns of forms and events guide organization and classification, and
they prompt questions about relationships and the factors that influence them.
Structure and function
1. The way in which an object or living thing is shaped and its substructure determine
many of its properties and functions.

TEACHING STRUCTURE

Part I: Exploration/Brainstorm (14 minutes)

1. Planet Discussion
a. Teachers will ask the students what they know about planets and what planets are
in our solar system.
b. Teachers will take several responses from students and hold a brief discussion.
c. Teachers will read to the class the objective that is written on the board. The
students should state the what, why, and how of the objective.
2. Planet Exploration
a. Each student will receive a notecard with a letter written on it
b. The students will have to find their partner that has the same letter as them
c. Once all partners are found they will take a seat next to each other.
d. The students should then each take turns reading their cards out loud
e. The students should take the information that they have been given and go to the
board to find the picture of their planet (the information they need to find their
planet will be on their cards)
f. Once they find their planets picture the students will tape their information cards
underneath their planets picture
Part II: Concept Introduction (16 minutes)
1. Review the Planet Exploration Chart
a. Each group will present their planets facts to the class.
b. As the students present their planet the class will fill in the blanks on their
handout.
c. The teachers will make sure everyone gets the answers and go over any confusion
they have.
2. Brain pop video
a. Students will watch the video about the planets and solar system

Part III: Concept application/Wrap up (20 minutes)

1. Planet Postcards
a. Each student will be given a notecard
b. They are to make a postcard for a friend describing their planet using at
least four facts
c. Once the postcard is done they will be able to draw their planet on the
other side.